Fracking, shorthand for "hydraulic fracturing," involves blasting millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals at high-pressure into sub-surface rock formations to create fractures that facilitate the flow of recoverable oil or gas.Gazette file photo

KALAMAZOO — The Michigan chapter of the Sierra Club will host a public showing in Kalamazoo of a documentary on horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

The film, titled “The Sky is Pink,” is an 18-minute documentary directed by Josh Fox, the Oscar-nominated director of “Gasland.” The film will be shown at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, in the Kalamazoo Public Library’s Van Deusen Room, 315 S. Rose St.

Michigan has one of the larger reserves of natural gas in the Midwest. Extracting it by fracking involves injecting high-pressured water and oil into the ground. The method has been hailed by some as a way to build the county's energy independence, but others have said it causes harm to the environment and to drinking water.

This week, Gov. Rick Snyder made an address on energy and the environment, in which he laid out his vision for Michigan’s energy policy. Snyder said natural gas is important and that the University of Michigan should undertake an evaluation of the process.